Herkimer Board of Education to consider alternate solar option

Friday

Aug 4, 2017 at 11:09 PMAug 4, 2017 at 11:09 PM

STEPHANIE SORRELL-WHITE / stephanie@timestelegram.com

HERKIMER, N.Y. – After a proposal to install a solar array on school property drew criticism last year, the Herkimer School Board of Education postponed making a decision and instead looked into other potential solar energy projects.

Herkimer Central School District Superintendent Robert Miller said the school board continued its discussion on possible solar energy options during its regular board meeting on Wednesday. He said a representative with Sunvest Solar, Inc. will present options to the building committee later this month.

Miller said the building committee "may recommend solar options for the full board to discuss in the fall."

"Prior to my arrival [in 2013], the board was looking to bring in and create an opportunity to develop solar here," said Miller during a telephone interview Friday. "We want to do something that everybody can consent to. We don’t want to do something that’s going to put a bad taste in people’s mouths."

During a November 2016 meeting, the board heard from community members about the SolarCity Corporation proposal that included the installation of a ground mounted photovoltaic array on school district property at 225 Gros Boulevard. The array would have been bordered on one side near homes on Zoller Avenue, which some residents said concerned them. This led to the board’s postponing its decision and looking into other options.

Miller said they are "starting from scratch" with this new company, with different locations being proposed – such as parking lots, rooftops or a different field rather than the Gros Boulevard location. He said they are also looking at building a smaller type of array with this project.

"We want to see what the other vendor can bring us, give us some suggestions and see what’s palatable to the community," he said.

Miller said they want to make sure the community is informed about the project.

"We want to be as open about it as possible and make sure people are aware of it," he said.

Also at the meeting, Miller said the board adopted the policies on code of conduct, the non-discrimination policy and the school lunch program. Miller said for the code of conduct policy, the changes are in terms of its gender identity policy and recording processes, which have already been in place.

"No one is really going to notice any changes. We’re making sure that everything is aligned with what happens in school is in the code," he said.

The school board also initiated a discussion of board goals during the meeting, which Miller said the board will continue with during its Aug. 17 meeting. The board also finalized committee assignments.

The board also approved contracts with Herkimer BOCES for 2017-18 services and Slocum-Dickson for athletic trainer services.

Two new, full-time music teachers were also appointed by the school board during its Aug. 2 meeting and will start in September. Heather Bagnall, who is coming to the district with teaching experience at Owen D. Young Central School District, will teach music at the elementary school. Terry Gordon, who comes to the district from Mekeel Christian Academy, will be the new high school instrumental teacher.

Miller said the teachers will bring "a wealth of music teaching experience to our school."

"We are excited to bring them on-board as we restore our music staffing to full strength," said Miller. "We consistently strive to maintain our existing music programs and create new music opportunities for students."